Walker Leads Confusion Along the Front Line

A few days into learning about the Laker offense, Samaki Walker happily mused that it was not nearly as complex as advertised.

Turned out, his grasp of the triangle lacked half a hypotenuse, and by late Tuesday night, two games into the exhibition season, the Lakers’ new power forward was suitably contrite.

“I made a statement that it was an easy offense,” Walker said, smiling. “You remember? Well, I take that back.”

If two island games against the over-eager Golden State Warriors are to be believed, Walker is not alone in his confusion, particularly along the front line. Other than small forward Rick Fox, who appears intent on becoming an all-league defensive player, and power forward Robert Horry, who played only nine minutes in Tuesday’s 113-88 defeat, they all had their problems on Oahu.

Encouraged by two full practices at forward rather than center, Walker was better Tuesday than he was Sunday. Still, the Lakers have depth and talent issues at power forward. Mark Madsen is coming off surgery. Slava Medvedenko, who by all accounts played poorly in the Long Beach summer league, still appears uncomfortable. Jelani McCoy has been spotty in three NBA seasons. And Phil Jackson has always leaned against starting Horry.

Predictably, there is no one to take Horace Grant’s defensive place opposite the better power forwards in the Western Conference.

Still, everyone will look and feel better when Shaquille O’Neal heals, when his presence alone would be enough to cover the early inadequacies.

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Conversely, the Lakers appear well armed in the backcourt, even with Derek Fisher out six more weeks or so.

Veteran additions Lindsey Hunter and Mitch Richmond combined to make 15 of 27 shots in the two exhibitions, and Laker coaches like rookie Joe Crispin’s game and attitude.

“He showed he’ll compete,” assistant Jim Cleamons said Tuesday night.

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Mike Penberthy banged his left knee during Tuesday’s game and afterward limped slightly.

“No complaints,” he said.

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The Lakers traveled back to the mainland Wednesday and are scheduled to practice today at their facility in El Segundo. ... Owner Jerry Buss told Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano that he’d like to train in Honolulu every other year.